Cleaning device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cleaning device for manually cleaning surfaces with a support from dimensionally stable material on which at least one cleaning element is mounted. The aim of the invention is to provide a device with which damages to sensitive surfaces that are caused by an inadvertent contact with the dimensionally stable material can be substantially avoided. To this end, the support is at least partially provided with an elastically deformable, shock-absorbing cover.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Applicants claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Application No.199 38 222.0 filed Aug. 12, 1999. Applicants also claim priority under35 U.S.C. §120 of PCT/EP00/07818 filed Aug. 11, 2000. The internationalapplication under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English.

The invention relates to a window wiper for manually leaning windowsurfaces, comprising a support made of dimensionally stable materialthat is provided with a holding profile made of dimensionally stablematerial as well for holding a rubber wiper blade.

Window wipers of the type specified above are known in a great varietyof different designs. For cleaning window glass panes, such windowwipers comprise a rubber wiper strip as it is described, for example inEP 0 811 349 A1, or DE 297 15 454 U1.

So that an adequate and uniform contact pressure can be manually appliedto the rubber wiper strip, the components serving in this regard asabutments, notably the support and the holding profile secured on thelatter, have to be designed with adequate dimensional stability. Inparticular, the holding profile has to be prevented from bending throughwhen it is used. In connection with the window wipers of the typespecified above known in the prior art, the support and the holdingprofile are for that reason made of metal or a correspondingly hard andresistant plastic such as, for example ABS(acrylo-nitrile-butadiene-styrene) in most cases.

Furthermore, the use of such dimensionally stable, resistant materialsfor the support offers the advantage that window wiper is functionallysafe and robust and has a long useful life. This, however, is opposed bythe drawback that sensitive surface are endangered if they inadvertentlycome into contact with the support or the holding profile, which ispractically hardly avoidable with normal use. For example, window framesmade of aluminum or genuine veneer can be scratched when a window iscleaned with a window wiper of the known type. Furthermore, surfaces aredamaged time and again when such a window cleaning device isinadvertently dropped, which cannot be entirely excluded even if theusual care is exercised in daily practice.

According to the state of the art (FR-A-27 53 075), it is known inconnection with furniture cleaning devices to provide the support—whichis rigid as well—on all sides with a soft, yielding cover in order toprevent the surfaces to be cleaned in furniture cleaning from beingdamaged. However, in connection with said known furniture cleaningdevices, the cleaning elements are mounted on the outer side on theelastic cover and are therefore not supported in a uniform manner. Ifone were to secure and support the rubber wiper strip of a window wiperon such a cover, the function of the window wiper would be considerablyimpaired.

Therefore, the problem of the invention is to further develop the windowwiper of the type specified above to such an extent that the surface tobe cleaned is carefully treated without impairing the guidance andsupport of the rubber wiper strip.

For solving said problem, the invention proposes based on the windowwiper of the type specified above that the support and the holdingprofile are provided on all sides with an elastically yielding,shock-absorbing cover, with the exception of the point where the wiperstrip protrudes with its wiper blade.

The window wiper as defined by the invention, except for the point wherethe wiper strip protrudes with its wiper blade, is covered with a soft,shock-absorbing cover. Such a cover or jacketing is elasticallydeformable, so that it automatically assumes again its original formafter it has been stressed.

The special advantage of the window wiper as defined by the inventionconsists in that sensitive surfaces cannot be damaged even if the windowwiper is handled in a careless manner provided it is used based on theforces and stresses normally occurring in manual cleaning work. Alledges and corners of the support and the holding profile are covered ina shock-absorbing and soft manner, so that there is no longer any riskthat window frames, for example, are damaged or scratched. This appliesto inadvertent shock stresses as well, which occur when the window wiperis dropped, because owing to the shock-absorbing effect of the cover asdefined by the invention, punctual stresses will no longer occur, butonly a short elastic deformation of the material of the cover.

The embodiment of the window wiper as defined by the invention do not inany way have a negative influence on the advantages of use of the windowwiper. It is rather possible to consequently optimize the stability ofthe support and the holding profile with respect to the requirements ofthe given purpose of application. For example, it is conceivable toproduce the holding profile for supporting the rubber wiper strip from aparticularly hard material with bending stiffness, for example fromhardened steel sheet or the like, in order to achieve an optimal contactand accordingly good cleaning results. The shock-absorbing covernonetheless does not pose any risk that this could have any damagingeffects should the support of the window wiper inadvertently come intocontact with sensitive surfaces, for example when touching an aluminumwindow frame.

The cover is usefully secured on the support in an undetachable manner.It is assured in this way that the comprehensive protection afforded bythe embodiment as defined by the invention is available at any time evenwhen the device is used over a long period of time.

It is particularly advantageous if the cover is formed by an elasticallyyielding plastic foam material, in particular made from foam with closedpores, for example from polyurethane (PU), which exhibits both goodshock-absorbing and elastic properties even if it has a thickness in theorder of magnitude of only millimeters. Furthermore, a plastic foamcover has a very low weight, which is positive for the handiness of ahand-held device in any case. Furthermore, the technique of foamapplication all around can be carried out in a particularly rationalmanner and permits the targeted shock-absorbing cushioning of criticalpoints in that the thickness of the foam material is locally increasedat such points, because the local shaping of such a foam cover issubstantially freely selectable. Irrespectively of the shape of thebasic body, i.e. the support in connection with the invention, thematerial of the cover is in a particularly intimate contact with thesurface of the support according to the present manufacturing process,so that a particularly solid and durable bond is obtained. This, ofcourse, is to the benefit of the useful life of the window wiper even ifthe latter is used under rough conditions here and there.

A handle is preferably attached to the support that is provided with acover as well. Such a handle may either form one single piece jointlywith the support, or it may be mounted also on an extension handle barthat can be connected to the support in a detachable manner. While thefirst-mentioned variation represents a particularly compact manualcleaning device, the action radius is accordingly expanded with thesecond variation by the extension bar. It is conceivable also that anextension bar can be connected also to the embodiment in which thesupport and the handle jointly form one single piece.

The handiness of the window wiper is noticeably enhanced further by theembodiment of the handle as defined by the invention because theyieldingly elastic cover in the area of the handle adapts itself to thehand when it is gripped, and in this way provides for particularly safegripping of the handle. This comes to bear especially when the handlegets wet, as it usually the case in connection with manual wet cleaningwork, where handles made of a rigid material become smooth and slippery,which, of course, favors slipping of the handle from the hand orunintended contact with the surfaces to be cleaned. This is not the casein connection with the invention because the covered handled is aparticularly safe, sure-grip type handle under all conceivableconditions of use.

If the cover is realized in the form of a cover made of plastic foam,its use, furthermore, is perceived as being particularly pleasant by theuser because plastic foam has a good thermal insulating effect. Such ahandle feels pleasant even at cool ambient temperatures, which, ofcourse, is to the benefit of the user friendliness as well.

It is advantageous for ergonomic handling that the cover of the handlehas molded-in features. It is possible in this way, for example tomold-in recesses for gripping by the individual fingers, so that aform-locked, safe grip is achieved with one hand. According to anadvantageous further development of the invention, provision is madethat the moldings comprise a multitude of projecting naps. Due to thepunctual contact with the skin, such naps provide for a bloodcirculation-promoting massage of the palm of the hand as the windowwiper is being used. This is subjectively perceived as being pleasant inmost a cases and permits longer fatigue-free working on account of thecirculation-promoting effect.

In the embodiment of a window wiper as defined by the invention, thecleaning element may be mounted on the support in a fixed manner oralternatively in a detachable way. While mounting the cleaning elementin a fixed manner provides for a particularly safe support of thecleaning element, mounting it in a detachable way offers the advantagethat the cleaning element can be easily replaced when it is worn, or fordifferent cases of application. For mounting it in a detachable way, therubber wiper blades, for example, can be laterally inserted incorresponding receiving profiles.

In connection with the invention, the support may be one single piecemade of metal or plastic, or it may be a combination of the two, forexample with metal profiles, connector pieces and the like injected intoplastic material.

An exemplified embodiment of the invention is explained in the followingin greater detail with the help of the drawing, which shows thefollowing in detail:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a window wiper as defined bythe invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross section through a window wiper as defined by theinvention according to FIG. 1.

The representations in FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cleaning device as definedby the invention in the form of a window cleaning device, i.e. a manualcleaning device for cleaning smooth surfaces. Said cleaning device as awhole is denoted by the reference symbol 1. Identical reference numeralsare used in the two representations for identical components.

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through the center of the cleaningdevice 1. Said cleaning device has in its interior a support 2 servingas the supporting structure. The basic body of said support ispreferably made of plastic, for example ABS. At the bottom, i.e. in thedrawing to the left, the support merges into a tubular handle 3. Theopening of said tube forms at the same time a connector piece forconnecting an extension handle bar or the like. In the front area, arubber wiper blade 4 is mounted on the support 2 as a cleaning element,and offset to the rear, a microfiber cleaning cushion 5 is mounted asanother cleaning element.

The wiper blade 4 is laterally inserted in a form-locked manner in ametal holding profile 6, thus into the plane of the drawing in thepresent representation. Said holding profile is forming a component ofthe support 2 that is joined with the plastic body in an undetachablemanner. The microfiber cleaning cushion 5 is detachably connected withthe support 2 via an area zipper 7, for example a Velcro-type closure.

According to the invention, the special feature of the cleaning deviceshown consists in that the support 2 including its plastic body, thehandle 3, as well as the metal holding profile 6, is provided on theoutside on all sides with an elastically yielding, shock-absorbing cover8. Said cover is realized in the form of an elastically yielding plasticfoam, preferably polyurethane foam, and has a thickness of between about0.5 mm and 3 mm.

In the front area, the cover is covering all outer sides of the support2 with the exception of the point where the wiper blade 4 protrudes withits wiping edge. The Velcro closure 7 for fastening the microfibercushion 5 may be mounted either directly on the support 2 or alsoexternally on the cover 8.

The tubular handle 3 is completed enclosed on the outer side by thecover 8 as well, which is clearly shown in the representation of FIG. 2,which shows a cross section A—A according to FIG. 1. One special featureof the handle 3 consists in that the cover 8 is provided there with amultitude of the radially protruding, rounded naps 9. Owing to saidnaps, which are yielding as well due to the yielding property of the PUfoam used for the cover 8, a higher gripping safety and a pleasantgripping feel are achieved in that the palm of the hand is massaged whenthe hand is gripping the handle.

An extension bar not shown here can be inserted in the rearwardly openconnection opening in the handle 3, if needed. At least in its zonewhere it is gripped, such an extension bar should comprise a handle aswell, which is realized in the same way as the handle 3 of the cleaningdevice 1 shown.

The cleaning device 1 shown has a particularly stable support 2 made ofimpact-resistant plastic, whereby the as dimensional stability requiredin the zone of the wiper blade 4 is assured by the metal holding profile6 arranged in said zone. By virtue of the embodiments with the cover 8as defined by the invention, said cleaning device 1 offers the specialadvantage that even sensitive pieces of furniture or floor surfaces arenot scratched or damaged in some other way when they come into contactwith the cleaning device, because the hard material of the support 2,and in particular the metal holding profile 6 are completely cushionedwith the soft, shock-absorbing cover 8. Therefore, taking into accountthe care usually exercised, inadvertent damage is practically excluded.

Another advantage is that the ergonomic quality of the handle 3 israised by the yielding cover 8, and that pleasant working is possible byvirtue of the naps 9 as well.

What is claimed is:
 1. A window wiper for manually cleaning windowsurfaces, comprising a support (2) made of dimensionally stable materialand provided with a holding profile (6) for a rubber wiper strip (4),said holding profile being made of a dimensionally stable material aswell, characterized in that the support (2) and the holding profile (6)are covered on all sides with an elastically yielding, shock-absorbingcover (8), with the exception of the point where the wiper strip (4)protrudes with its wiper blade.
 2. The window wiper according to claim1, characterized in that the cover is an elastically yielding plasticfoam.
 3. The window wiper according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe foam cover (8) consists of polyurethane foam with closed pores. 4.The window wiper according to claim 1, characterized in that the support(2) and the handle (3) jointly form one single piece, said handle beingcovered by the cover (8) as well.
 5. The window wiper according to claim4, characterized in that the handle (3) is mounted on an extension barthat is detachably connectable with the support (2).
 6. The window wiperaccording to claim 4, characterized in that the cover (8) of the handle(3) comprises moldings.
 7. The window wiper according to claim 6,characterized in that the moldings comprises a multitude of projectingnaps (9).
 8. The window wiper according to claim 1, characterized inthat the support (2) consists of metal.
 9. The window wiper according toclaim 1, characterized in that the support (2) consists of plastic.